Aitor Karanka’s side came within 90 minutes of clinching a glorious return to the Premier League in the Spaniard’s first full year in charge at the Riverside.

It was to end in heartbreak in the play-off final, but many feel the foundations are in place for Boro to recover from the setback and be among the main challengers for the Championship title next season.

Boro utilised the loan market last season to bolster their ranks, with nine players recruited on short-term deals throughout the 2014/15 season.

But how many of those loanees can be considered a success? We take a look at each of them.

As a result, Blackman had to wait until September for his chance - starting the Capital One Cup clash at Anfield.

And it was an eventful one for the Chelsea youngster. Boro held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw over 180 minutes, and Blackman then took centre stage in an incredible penalty shootout, which Karanka’s men eventually lost 14-13.

Blackman did save a penalty from Raheem Sterling and scored his own against Simon Mignolet, but that marked the end of his Boro career - before it really ever got going.

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Was Jamal Blackman's loan spell at Boro a success?

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Ryan Fredericks (Tottenham)

The Spurs full-back hit the ground running in the North-east, recruited as a back-up to Damia Abella and an alternative to Seb Hines at right-back.

But after Abella suffered a cruciate injury at Cardiff which ruled him out for the season, the 22-year-old found himself as Boro’s first-choice on the right flank.

Fredericks was missed during his injury lay-off, and was brought back into the side for the 1-0 win at Griffin Park in January. He played seven more games at right-back, before sustaining a hamstring injury in the first half at Nottingham Forest in March.

His loan spell came to an end after that match - and Boro certainly could have used his versatility in the play-offs.

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Was Tomas Kalas' loan spell at Boro a success?

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Kenneth Omeruo

Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea)

It was a chaotic start to the season for the centre-back, who signed for a second consecutive campaign with Boro on loan from Stamford Bridge.

He arrived back to training late following his participation at the World Cup with Nigeria, but was thrust into immediate action against Birmingham after Ben Gibson’s injury inside the very first minute.

He wasn’t seen again until the 0-0 stalemate with Brighton on the last day of the season, before he was recalled by Gary Monk’s Premier League side.

Karanka said the right-back’s early exit was due to his inability to guarantee him first-team football. After two brief viewings, Boro fans didn’t shed any tears about Tiendalli heading back to South Wales.

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Was Dwight Tiendalli's loan spell at Boro a success?

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(Image: Action Images / Paul Burrows)

Milos Veljkovic (Tottenham)

Talented teenager Veljkovic arrived on loan in October, but was made to wait almost two months for his Boro bow.

That came as a substitute in the 5-1 win at Millwall, and he was brought off the bench again during the defeat at Ipswich before making his only start for Boro at Blackburn.